tainter



4 sheets-sheen 1.

(No Model.)

o. s. TAINTBR.

GRAPHOPHONE.

Patented Apr. 3, 1888.

4 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

C. S. TAINTER.

u GRAPHOPHONB. No. 380,535. Patented-M3128, 1888.

spondence.

g UNITED STRTESK PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES SUMNER TAINTER, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

GRAPHOPHONE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 380,535, dated April 3, 1888.

Application filed December 2. 1887. Serial No. 256,814. (No model.)

Io ing and reproducing speech and other sounds;

and its general object is to improve such apparatus in point of efficiency, convenience in use, and simplicity of construction.

The invention may be regarded mainly as an 4I5 improvement upon the apparatus described in Letters Patent No.- 375,57 9, granted to me December 27, 1887, beingsimilar thereto in general form and in many of its details.

In the present invention the machine is pro- 2o vided with two tablet'holders and with duplicate recording instruments, the latter being connected together by tubes leading to a common mouth-piece. This arrangement is very convenient for preserving copies, as of corre- The apparatus is so contrived that one or two records may be made, as desired.

I am aware that it has been proposed heretofore to provide a diaphragm with two styles 3c on opposite sides thereof and acting upon different tablets, and therefore do not claim, broadly, the idea of makingtwo or more records simultaneously.

According to the present invention there is no carriage forming a permanent part of the machine and serving both for recorder and reproducer, as in the patent referred to above. The recorder is now rigidly attached to a sleeve,.which constitutes its Carriage and encircles the guide-tube surrounding the feed# screw. This sleeve is divided longitudinally into two parts, and the parts are hinged together, so that the recorder can be readily put on and taken off the machine, as desired. The

second recorderis provided with devices for suspending it from the same sleeve, it being preferably pivoted on the hinge-pintle of the sleeve itself. A spring-actuated segmental nut passes through a slot in the guide-tube 5o and engages the feed-screw.

Heretofore the point of the cutting-style has been round or conical. As herein shown and described, it is liattened on the sides,decreas ing the amount of metal and facilitating construction of the point without diminishing its rigidity in the direction of its cutting action.

Heretofore in machines of this type a metallic tablet-holder of Vcylindrical form has been used to support the tablet, the holder being re movable from the frame, so that the tablet can be slipped on and off. According to the pres- 'ent invention the cylindrical tablet-holder is discarded, and the tablet is supported at the ends only, there being for that purpose two disk shaped holders, having tapering sides, so that they enter the ends of the hollow tablet, and shoulders which bear against the ends thereof and hold it in place. One ofthe dislnholders is carried on a shank movable longitudinally and held in place bya spiral spring. It can be withdrawn to permit ofinsertion or removal of a tablet. This construction has several advantages. It effects a saving of the cost of the cylindrical tablet-holder, and it enables the tablets to be more quickly removed and replaced. Moreover, in the operation of the machine it is desirable in stopping to bring the tablet to rest at once, and as heretofore constructed the momentum of the metal tablet-holder was such as to carry the tablet forward a certain distance after disengaging the clutch. By the present construction this defect is remedied.

According to the present invention the reproducer is provided with a carriage whereby it can be hung upon the guide-tube and operatedby the feed-screw. One essential of suc cessful reproduction is steadiness -as nearly absolute as is obtainable. By the construction hereinafter described they requisite rigidity `and steadiness are secured, while at the same IOO Fig. VI, a sectional plan of the same; Fig.

. necting the same.

VII, a detail of the cutting-style on an enlarged scale, and Fig. VIII an inside view of halt' of the sleeve constituting the recorder-carriage. Fig. IX is a vertical section illustrating the reproducerca1riage.

The machine-frame comprises the uprights or standards E F and the tie-rods 2O 2l, cou- The standards E F are also connected at the top by the tube L, which constitutes the guideway for the recorder and reproducer and incloses the feed-screw I. The two cylindrical tablets B B are placed below the feed-screw I and are respectively in front of and behind the same. Pulley 25 drives the front tablet, B, while the rear tablet, B', is driven by pulley 26. The feed screw I is driven by pulley 25 through the gears 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, and 32, the latter being mounted on the feed-screw.

rThe front tablet, B, is supported by the two disk-holders H H. The former is mounted on the end of a sleeve or hollow arbor, 7i, having a hearing on a hollow1 stud, 18, which passes through the standard E and is clamped in place by a nut, 43, as best shown in Fig. III. The sleeve h also carries the gear 27, through which motion is imparted to the train of gears operating the feedscrew I. rIhe diskholder II tapers slightly inward,so that it will readily enter the hollow tablet B, and it is provided with a shoulder, 34, against which the end of said tablet bears. rIhe disk II isprovided with points 14 to take into the ends of the tablet and prevent its slipping. The opposite diskholder, H', isloosely mounted on the end of a shank, h', which passes through a tube, 35, rigidly secured to the standard F by clampnuts 36, the disk being held in place by ascrew, 37, tapped into the end of shank h. The shank h is free to move longitudinally in the tube 35, and between its ends it is turned down to leave space between it and said tube for the spiral spring 38,whieh bears at one end against shoulder 39 on said tube and at the other end on shoulder 40 of the shank h and tends to press the disk H to the left-that is, toward the tablet B. A pin, 41, passing through a slot in tube 35,prevents rotation of the shank. By the pressure of spring 38 the tablet B is clamped between the two disks H H. Y To remove the tablet it is only necessary to withdraw disk II by taking hold of the button 42 on the end of shank 7L'. The operation of inserting and removing a tablet is thus very quickly performed. The holder H receives no positive motion, but simply turns with the tablet B and disk H.

The rear tablet, B', is supported by holders II2 IVI, similar in construction to the holders H II', already described. The only difference in the parts is that holder IP has no gear-wheel corresponding to gear 27 on the hub h of holder H. These duplicate parts are inserted in the machine-frame and held by nuts 43 44. The machine would be complete for the purpose of making a single record without them, and

they can be readily added at any time when desired.

The clutch mechanism is in general form similar to that described in the patent above referred to. Certain modifications have, however, been made.

A rod, 50, passes through the rod 20 and carries on its left-hand end an upright tinger, 51, which takes into a groove in an arbor, 52. 'Ihe arbor 52 passes through the hollow stud 18, which is slotted at 19 to admit of the passage and movement of finger 5l. The arbor 52 carries on its outer end one member, 53, ot' the clutch', the other member, 54, being fixed to the hub of driving-pulley 25. On the inner end of arbor 52 is iiXed a disk, 55, which engages and drives t-he holding-disk H through a pin, 56, passing through a hole in said disk and tapped into holder II. l Rod 50 is moved longitudinally by the key-lever 57,car ried by rock-shaft 5S, the latter being con nected with rod 50 by a crank-arm, 59. lVlien, by means of lever 57, rod 50 is moved to the left, arbor 52 is moved in the same direction, disengaging the clutch, and pulley 25 can then turn in its bearing without rotating holder H and feed-screw I. In the other position of the clutch mechanism arbor 52 is connected with the pulley and is rotated thereby, driving holder H through disk 55 and pin 56, and the feed-screw I through the train of gears already described. rIhe rocloshaft 5S extends across standard F, and atits rear end is connected by a crank-arm, 59,with another rod, 60, passing through tie-rod 21 and operating a similar clutch mechanism for the second tablet, B.

The recorder C is rigidly attached to a sleeve, M, which constitutes its carriage, and is adapted to slide on guide-tube L. Sleeve M is divided into two parts longitudinally, the parts being hinged together at 65. Theinterior of sleeve M is slightly larger than tube L,except at the ends, where rings 66,0f hard rubber or like material, are inserted,the diameter ofthe rings being such as to fit closelyon tube L. This construction permits easy longitudinal movement oi" the carriage M and recorder or recorders carried thereby, while insuring rigidity of the latter against lateral movement. Such rigidity is essential, and the speaking-tubes are in this case led from the mouth-pieces direct to the recorder, and unless the latter were rigidly supported an irregular line, and consequently a worthless record,would be the result. It has been found that this mode of carrying the recorder has decided advantages in this respect over the plan of hanging it by trunnions from supports on a carriage.

The segmentalnut 67 is carried on the end of ashank, 68, and is pressed by spring 69 into engagement with feed-screw I. The nut passes through the slot, which, as before, extends lengthwise of the tube L. The upper edge, 70, of this slot is rounded and the upper edge of nut 67 is beveled, so that the act of lifting IOC IIC

' slightly hollowed out on one edge.

the recorder disengages the nut from the feedscrew and withdraws itfrom the slot. In putting the recorder in position the nut automatically snaps into place. A pin, 71, on the shank 68 passes through a slotin the frame of the recorder, limiting the movement of the shank and affording means for withdrawing the nut by hand. The counter-weight 72 is attached to the other half of the sleeve from that which carries the recorder (l.

The second recorder, C,when in place is suspended by the semicircular hangers 73, attached by screws 7 4t to its frame. These pieces extend half-way around tube L, and their'upper ends are pivoted on the hingepintles ofthe hinges that connect the two parts of carriage M. When the second recorder isin position, it rests upon the tablet B, by which its weight is mainly supported. There isa tendency on the part of the recorder to slide off the tablet lengthwise of the recorder, and this strain comes on the sleeve and guide-tube; but since the hangers-73 extend half-way round the guide-tube L, the pull of the recorder in this direction acts on a line passing diametrically throughy the axis of the sleeve M, and hence the recorder C', when in position, does not tend to turn said sleeve.

Heretofore the point of the cuttingstyle c has been rounded. As shown in Fig. VII, it is flattened, being shaped like an arrow-head, Styles of this shape are easier to'make, while they lose no rigidity in the direction of their cutting action by the removal of metal from the sides. In all other respects the recorders are like that described in the patent referred to, and therefore no further description thereof is necessary.

The respective sonndchambers in the two recorders C C are connected by tubes 75 76, `joined at the middle with a T-shaped coupling-piece, 77, for attachment of a suitable mouth-piece, or of exible tubes 78, such as described in said patent. rIherefore on reaching the coupling-piece 77 the sound-waves are propagated in both directions through tubesy 75 76, and duplicate records are thus produced, so that if letters are being dictated one record can be mailed to the correspondent an the other retained as a copy. i

The reproducer D is shown in Figs. IV, V, and VI. The construction ofthe hollow standard and the mounting of the diaphragm and rubbing-style are as described in said patent, and therefore `need no particular description here.

rlhe carriageby which the 'recorder is supported and advanced in action consists, mainly, of a frame, 80, in which the trunnions 8l of the reproducer are pivoted at 8l. Frame 8() has two curved arms,82,the curvature of Whose under sides corresponds with that of the guidetube L. The segmental nut 83 iscarried by two supportingarins 85, which turn freely on the trunnions 81 of the recorder, their motion,

the frame and engaged by the stops 87 on the ends of arms 85. Flat springs 88 press the nut 83 into engagement with feed-screw I. When the recorder is in place, and as the nut is diametrically opposite the curved arms 82, these parts hold the carriage in place on the guide-tube L. The nut can be moved outward against the pressure of springs 88 far enough to let the guide-tube L pass between it and arms 82. To secure the perfect rigidity and steadiness desirable, and to avoid the necessity of eXtra care on the part of the operator, the carriage is provided with a locking device, which consists of curved arms 89, connected at their lower ends by a tie-rod, 90, and near their upper ends by tie-rod 92, being pivoted at their upper ends to frame 80 by a pivot-pin, 91. The curvature of arms 89 corresponds with that of the guide-tube L, and when in place the arms drop by gravity into contact with said tube, their lower ends bearing against the same at a point diametrically opposite the pivot 91. These pivots should be placed at the point where a line .drawn through the axis of the feed-screw I (or guide-tube L) would be intersected by a line perpendicular thereto drawnfromthepivot84. Anyunduepressure exerted on the reproducer-carriage when in operation would tend to turn the whole device upon pivots 84 as a center, and hence said pressure would be eftectually resisted by the whole strength of thelocking-piece and guidetnbe. If pivots 91 were shifted to one side or the otherof the intersection of the two lilies determined as above pointed out, it will be seen that the pull on the locking-piece would be in a line more orlcss oblique to the surface of the guidetube L, and the liability of slipping would not be so effectually provided against.

Contact of the tiered 92 with the stationary arms 82 limits the movement of the lockingpiece in one direction, and its movement in the other direction is limited by contact ofthe rod with the end of said stationary arms.

As in, the case of the nut 67 of the recorder,

nut 83 of the reproducer has a beveled upper edge, so that the reproducer and carriage can readily be removed from the machine, it not being necessary to withdraw the nut by hand.

IOS

IIO

A hollow metal tube or socket-piece, 95, is

rigidly attached to frame 80 and communivCates at its lower end with the hollow standard of the reproducer. To the upper end of socket 95 is attached the end of ilexible tube 96, which bifurcates at 97 and has at the farther ends the ear-pieces 98. The latter are connected directly with the reproducer, instead of being led to a fixed metal tube, as heretofore; hence the necessity of the greater rigidity of the recorder-carriage secured by the construction just described.

Ear-pieces 98 have ends of a proper size and shape to enter the concha of the ear, and, be-

`ing hook-shaped, can be hung from the ridge known as the anti-tragus, and do not rehowever, being limited by pins 86, attached-to quire to be held in position by hand, by springpressure, or by suspending devices of any kind. This improvement is found to contribute greatly to ease and convenience in use.

Inasmuch as this improvement is applicable to apparatus other than graphophones, no claim thereto is made herein; but the same is reserved for a separate application.

The operation of the apparatus needs no particular description, being sufficiently obvious fromthe explanations alreadygiven,and being, moreover, similar to that of the apparatus described in the patent before mentioned.

It is obvious that modifications could be made in the details of construction ofthe several parts of the apparatus and that, if desii-ed, some of the improvements described could be used without others without in either case departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having now fully described the said invention and the manner in which the same is or may be carried into effect, what I claim is- 1. In a graphophone, the combination, with the feeding and driving mechanism, of duplicate tablet-holders and duplicate recorders, each having a diaphragm and style, the airchambers adjacent to said diaphragms being connected with a common speaking tube or passage, substantially as described.

2. In a graphophone, the combination of the duplicate tablet-holders and tablets, the feedscrew, the recorder-carriage adapted to be driven by said screw, and the two recorders, one for each tablet, both supported by said carriage and connected by a sound tube or passage, substantially as described.

3. In a graphophone, the combination, with the feed-screw and guide-tube, of holders for two tablets, one on each side of said feedscrew, the carriage adapted to slide on said guide-tube, and the two recorders hanging one on each side of said carriage, substantially as described.

4.-. In a graphophone, the combination,with the feed-screw and guide-tube, ofthe carriage comprising a sleeve in two parts hinged together and adapted to embrace said tube, substantially as described.

5. In a graphophone, the combinatiomwith the feed-screw and guide-tube, of the carriage comprising a two-part sleeve, a recorder rigidly attachcd to said carriage, and a second recorder attached removably to said carriage, substantially as described.

6. In a graphophone, the combination,with the feed-screw and guide-tube, of the carriage comprising a sleeve divided lengthwise into two parts, said parts being hinged together, a recorderA rigidly attached to said carriage, and a second recorder pivoted thereto at the hinges connecting the two parts, substantially as described.

7. In a graphophone, the combinatiomwith the feed-screw and inclosing guide-tube having a slot with curved edge, of the carriage having a segmental nut for passing through said slot and engaging said screw, said nut having a beveled edge, and a spring for holding said nut in engagement with said screw, substantially as described.

S. In a graphophone, the combination,with the driving mechanism and a hollow cylindrical recordingtablet,of a tablet-holder comprising two rotatable disks for clamping the tablet between them, substantially as described.

9. In a graphophone, the co1nbination,with a hollow cylindrical tablet, of the two holdingdisks bearing against opposite ends thereof, one of'said disks being movable toward and away from the other, substantially as described.

10. In a graphophone, the combinatiomwith a hollow cylindrical tablet, of the two holdingdisks adapted to clamp the tablet between them, one of said disks being movable toward and away from the other, and a spring bearing on said movable disk, substantially as described.

11. In a graphophone,the combinatiomwith the feed-screw and tablet-holder, and gearing for driving the former from the latter,of clutch mechanism comprising a rod passing through the bearingof said tablet-holder and adapted to lock the same to the driving-pulley or release it therefrom, substantially as described.

12. The combination, with the feed-screw and guide-tube, of the reproducercarriage comprising a frame having curved arms, a segmental nut carried by pivoted arms, and a spring pressing the two parts together, substantially as described.

13. The combination, with the feed-screw and guide-tube, of the reproducer-carrage comprising the frame with curved arms, the nut on a pivoted support, and the curved locking device, substantially as described.

14. The combination, with feed-screw and guide-tube, ofthe carriage, the reproducer piv- -oted thereto, the nut on a pivoted support,

and the locking device comprising semicircular arms pivoted to said frame at or approximately at the intersection of a line drawn through the axis of the guide-tube with a perpendicular line drawn from the pivot of said reproducer, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

CHARLES SUMNER 'lAIN'lER Witnesses:

R. M. READ, PHILIP MAURO.

IOO 

